The United States, under the direction of President Donald Trump, conducted powerful airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria on December 25, 2025, targeting what the administration described as "ISIS Terrorist Scum" responsible for targeting and killing innocent Christians. The operation, announced by Trump on Truth Social on Christmas night, involved multiple precision strikes, including more than a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a U.S. Navy warship in the Gulf of Guinea and additional munitions from MQ-9 Reaper drones. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strikes occurred in Sokoto State, in coordination with Nigerian authorities, resulting in multiple ISIS terrorists killed at known camps, with no reported civilian casualties.

The strikes followed months of warnings from Trump, who in October and November 2025 accused the Nigerian government of failing to address what he called an "existential threat" and "genocide" against Christians by Islamist militants. He had previously directed the Pentagon to prepare for potential military intervention, including threats of going in "guns-a-blazing" and suspending aid if violence continued. Trump framed the action as retaliation for the "vicious" killings of Christians, stating that under his leadership, "radical Islamic terrorism" would not be allowed to prosper. The Nigerian government, including Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the operation as a joint effort based on shared intelligence, emphasizing it targeted terrorists regardless of religious motivations and was part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.

The targeted militants are linked to ISIS affiliates in the region, including the Islamic State Sahel Province (locally known as Lakurawa), a group that has grown increasingly active in northwest Nigeria since 2024, often blending jihadist ideology with banditry and operating in remote forest areas. While violence in Nigeria has long involved complex ethno-political, economic, and criminal factors affecting both Christian and Muslim communities, Trump highlighted attacks on Christians, resonating with concerns raised by U.S. evangelical groups and some Republican lawmakers. Nigerian officials have consistently rejected claims of a targeted Christian genocide, noting that armed groups kill across religious lines, and the strikes were framed domestically as a security measure against foreign-infiltrating terrorists planning large-scale attacks.

Also Read: Trump Unleashes US Firepower on ISIS in Nigeria, Sends Global Warning

This U.S. military action marks a significant escalation in American involvement in Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts and comes amid broader U.S. operations against ISIS branches, including recent strikes in Syria. President Trump warned of "more to come" if the slaughter of Christians persists, while Pentagon officials expressed gratitude for Nigerian cooperation. The incident has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising the decisive response to terrorism and others questioning the religious framing amid Nigeria's nuanced security challenges. As assessments continue, the strikes underscore heightened U.S. focus on protecting vulnerable populations in Africa under the current administration.

Also Read: Trump Says He Forced Macron to Act on Drug Prices With Tariff Threat